When the Seattle Seahawks head to Baltimore to take on the Ravens this Sunday, we get to watch a matchup of first-place teams. This (next to Dallas and the Eagles) is the best matchup of Week 9. A game loaded with postseason implications could come down to which of these two potential future Hall of Fame coaches does a better job.
Pete Carroll has been with Seattle for 13 seasons with a 128-81-1 record, and back-to-back Super Bowl appearances in 2013-14. Technically has been coaching Baltimore for 16 seasons with a 153-97 record and a Super Bowl win. No surprise that these guys have both of their respective teams sitting in first place and making a postseason push. Technically, for teams like Seattle and Baltimore, the 'playoffs' are beginning now as they look to lock up a postseason seat, establish the best record, and try to gain home-field advantage.
Every game now, is critical. Let's take a look at the top 3 keys to victory for Seattle Seahawks at Baltimore Ravens in Week 9.
The Seattle defense needs to keep Lamar Jackson (well his legs anyway) in check
The Seattle defense gave itself a massive boost this week when the team acquired Pro Bowl defensive tackle Leonard Williams from the New York Giants. Homeboy needed a change of scenery and we welcome him and his top-end talent to the Emerald City. The team needed to get better up front and boy they just did. This defense could now be scary good.
When you are in first place, you go all in. This is one of those moves. The acquisition of Williams should pay dividends for all three phases of the Seattle defense, and they will need to be their best this weekend when they face Baltimore. Quarterback Lamar Jackson can take over a game at any time, any week. Now I personally think Lamar Jackson is an average quarterback who is a freak athlete, but that is just me. Yes, I know as you read this many of you immediately go "dude! he won an MVP are you crazy?" and to you I say, "no I am not crazy, the league has adjusted to his 'game'. He is not that good".
In spite of what I think, he is an NFL quarterback and one of the best athletes the league has ever seen. On any given week, he can beat you with his arm (lol- I know I laughed writing that) and his legs (real talk). The second key to victory for Seattle in this one is to keep Jackson average. If the defense can neutralize him, they will win this game.
The Seattle running game needs to dominate
The Seattle Seahawks have the best backfield in the NFL. The combination of star running back Kenneth Walker III and rookie Zach Charbonnet creates nightmares for opposing defenses, especially now that Charbonnet is getting more touches. Was last week due to Walker slowly returning from an injured hammy? Or was it a sign of things to come? My guess is Walker was still a little sore, and Charbonnet did not mind filling the void.
What we learned last weekend was regardless of who is getting the touches, the Seahawks can run the ball. If they are going to beat the Ravens on Sunday, Seattle will need to run the ball down Baltimore's throat.
Run, run, run, baby! Run! The Baltimore Ravens have allowed 799 rushing yards, a 4.1 yards per carry average, and 3 touchdowns. So they can stop the run, but Seattle has a two-headed monster in the backfield. Let these boys eat. Feed them the ball. If Kenneth Walker rushes for 100 yards and one touchdown, and Zach Charbonnet adds another 50+ on the ground, Seattle wins this game. A 6-2 Seattle team that is about to face the Washington Commanders and Los Angeles Rams would be a beautiful thing.
Geno Smith needs to carry the team
Seattle quarterback Geno Smith needs to have his best game of the season if the Seahawks are going to win Sunday. The Baltimore defense is why they are 6-2. The Ravens on average have given up 209.75 passing yards, and 0.75 touchdowns per game to quarterbacks this season. Number this does not exactly excite me and my thoughts of Geno moving the ball with his arm.
Baltimore is going to give Smith fits. If the Seahawks are going to win this game, Geno needs to outplay the Ravens' defense. I am not going to go as far as to say he needs to light them up. That would be nice, but I am saying that Geno needs to play mistake-free football and make maybe two or three big plays in this game for the team to win.
The game plan should be to run the ball as Seattle has the horses for that race. If the running game can get going, and Geno can put up a respectable 200 yards in the air, 2 touchdowns, and 0 INTs, then Seattle wins this game.
This is the toughest matchup of the season thus far, and a real test to see who this team is, and what they are made of. If Seattle can take care of these 3 keys to victory, I predict the Seahawks will win 21-10. Let's go boys! Get that W!